Fire in factory claims 19 lives in Lahore

LAHORE: At least 24 laborers were killed and several others wounded when fire swept through a shoes factory in Lahore on Tuesday, medics say.

According to hospital sources, dozens of factory workers were brought to Mayo Hospital.Out of them, 24 people have been pronounced dead while six others are seriously wounded.Speaking to media, Commissioner Jawad Rafiq said two factory workers have died in the fire. According to rescue workers, several labourers are still stranded inside the factory. The factory is located in Gulshan-e-Ravi area of Lahore, he said.

MS Doctor Zahid while speaking to the media confirmed the death ratio saying that emergency has been declared in the hospital to combat the situation. Two patients are in critical condition while remaining is out of danger, he added.According to the media reports some three corpses have been brought to the Munshi Hospital. The bodies and injured were taken Hospitals where medics were facing difficulties to identify the victims as they were badly charred.Media reports claimed that the factory was located at an illegal property and no arrangements were made to tackle such an incident. – Onlinenews